Rifle selection

[DirtyDave]

What are old Springfield '03s and other Milsurp rifles going for these days? Heck, even an old Mosin-Nagant could be made into a suitable hog rifle. $100 for the gun, sporter stock runs about $60, scope mount is about $40, 440 rounds of practice ammo is under $100, and $100-$200 for a decent entry-level scope. $500 for a powerful rifle, a bunch of ammo, and decent glass is a tough deal to beat. Even Milsurp .308 ammo would cost almost that much, just for the 440 rounds!

Good point if you are looking for a small project. I have about $400 in my Mosin. The 7.62x54r is very close to .308 ballistics
If you go this route, dont buy the ATI stock, they are junk. Keep the wood stock and modify it.

 

[STICK&STRING]

I set my old man up with a rifle/scope setup a few months back for hogs. He absolutely loves it, and trust me, he knows his guns and is one hell of a shot. List below is what I put together for him:

Tikka T3 Lite .300WSM
Talley One piece Lightweight base/rings.
Leupold VXII 3-9x40

He is shooting Nosler 180gr accubonds @ 2900 fps. As you can see from his drop chart below we set his rifle up for a "point and shoot" setup out to 300 yards. He consistently shoots .75 MOA out to 300 yards with factory ammunition. This rifle set up is a HOG KILLING MACHINE. The recoil is not bad at all after installing a limbsaver recoil pad.


YDS VEL Drop "

50 2814.7 0.9

100 2725.2 2.5

150 2637.5 3.0

200 2551.5 2.2

250 2467.2 -0.0

300 2384.4 -3.6

Price list:

Tikka T3 Lite .300WSM $620 (out the door)
Leupold VXII 3-9x40 $260 (out the door)
Talley One Piece Lightweight base/rings $43 (out the door)

Total $923

I know its a little more then what you are willing to spend but it will be a setup you will never have to change. You can always choose a different caliber as well. I am a fan of the .300 WM versus the .300 WSM. So I purchased my Kimber Montana in the .300 WM. You could always look at the 25-06 which is a great hog caliber as well.

just my 2 cents... Nick-

 

[crapsVC]

Tikka T3 lite from Buds Guns $563.00 shipped

 

[STICK&STRING]

Thats a great deal, but once u tack on the fee's from your FFL.... I know mine is $25 for transfer and another $25 because they can.... haha. So $613 out the door.

 

[markt800]

get the tikka, but i would go for the 270win over 30-06 or the 300wsm. i shoot sako's cause i like them, but tikkas get the barrels that did not make the cut for sako's 5 shot moa guarantee.they also have same trigger which can not be beat.

 

[ltdann]

TIKKA T-3 lite as well. I have mine in 30-06, got it from Bass pro, $585 TOTAL, including the FFL. Dropped a $199 Nikon prostaff 3x9-40 BDC on it and have taken deer, elk and pig, at both short and long range. The rifle comes with scope rings so thats one less thing to buy.

It's a joy to carry in the field and never seems heavy. It weighs just under 7 lbs w/scope and is probably THE most accurate rifle out of the box out there, in that price range. The action is silky smooth and has to be felt to be believed, crisp adjustable trigger with a fast break and zero creep.

The Tikka is a lifetime rifle, you'll never have buyers remorse and want to upgrade.

 

[HOGHUNTER714]

I am a Tikka T-3 Lite fan myself. I bought one last year for my primary coyote gun in 22-250. I got it at Scheels (Sparks, NV) for $499.99 with scope rings included. They had em in 22-250, 223, 243, 270, 30-06 & 300 Win. One of the most accurate rifles (Out of the Box) I have shot. The action is like "butter". I LOVE my Tikka!!!!!

 

[freezer]

The 763x54R is a suitable cartridge and the Nagant is acurate enough but I don't like the safety on them. They are just too difficult to use. A Marlin or 94 Win would be a better choice. A Marlin in 35 Remington gives a bit more punch but with todays lite Mags and leverlution ammo a 30-30 for 150 yards is hard to argue with

 

[ruger_mac]

Im paticular to Weatherby because my next purchase is going to be a .257WBY. But reading some of some of these posts, a Tika Lite would be my choice. If your pig Hunting that means your walking and hiking A LOT and a light rifle really makes a difference. But i still say go Redfield scope fair price and made by Leupold now.

 

[kwallruss]

savage 111 with accutriger and bedded stock, with leupold vx3 in 30-06 about in your price range

 

[myfriendis410]

Let me weigh in with my two cents:

If you are shooting factory ammunition and are in the Condor zone, go with either the .270 or 30-06. The selection and price is the best for these two calibers.

For my money, the Weatherby Vanguard is the best value for your dollar available today. The new Vanguard is updated with an adjustable trigger and the action (Howa 1500) is pretty well regarded for accuracy and durability. The price is in your affordable range and leaves you enough to buy good optics. Don't waste $50 on a cheap scope when you can apply that to a good one that will be with you for your entire hunting career.

 

[Mr. Luckypants]

Go with a Savage. I have several remingtons that sits in the safe now. Also, if you ever wanted to upgrade your cartridge, you can just buy another barrel from Midway and swap out the old one. No GUNSMITH required. The possibility is endless with a Savage. Don't buy the Axis though.

 

[DFG_Bear]

A good rule of thumb is to spend as much on the scope as you do the rifle (new cost). Just my $.02.

 

[TonyS]

Ok, brand loyalty aside, this guy wants a pig gun without mortgaging his first born. So here's what I suggest. Go look at a Marlin XL7, they make them in .270 and 30-06. I have a .270. They are way accurate out of the box. If you like what you feel then go to one of the online brokers and find one. You need to arrange a FFL to accept it for you. Then while you are waiting go take a look at Redfield Scopes. Even compare the optics to Nikon or even Leupold. Look at the 3x9. Any decent gun shop, after purchase, will mount and bore sight it for you for nothing.

You will be out hunting with your new accurate gun with $300 in your pocket.

 

[sooutlandis]

I shoot the Savage Edge 7mm-08. Doesnt have the accutriger, but for the price of the rifle, and a $80triger kit, it might as well have it. Great gun with plenty of knock down power for hogs and almost anything else you want to go after. BudsGuns has good deals on them most of the time. Good Luck

 

[XDHUNTER]

A good rule of thumb is to spend as much on the scope as you do the rifle (new cost). Just my $.02.

+1 DFG Bear!!

 

[jdp080563]

Look at a Howa 1500 combo.Non magnums under $600.00.good clear optics and good guns.

 

[freezer]

OK Just a question, does it have to be new? Why not a good used rifle?

 

[STICK&STRING]

For a first rifle that you will beat up in the woods chasing hogs around, a used rifle would be another great choice. Even though Iam still voting for a tikka t3 lite, a used remington 700 is a great choice as well. All rifles on the market have their pros and cons. Find a rifle that fits you perfect. Something that points fast (like a shotgun), and just feels like its part of you and thats your rifle.